Chapter 38
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Progress
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Jareth had transported himself, Sarah and the horses back home. He was secretly excited that Sarah had actually thanked him, a spark of hope began to grow inside him again. "So little time...but just maybe..." he tried to quench the hope, knowing that he would probably be sorely let down. He had escorted Sarah to her room, he could tell that her mind was elsewhere as they walked down the hall. He had a sinking feeling that her thoughts were not occupied by him but another. Regardless, he felt very good about the progress he had made that day with her. Running into the Marquee and his wife had been an unexpected blessing and had taken some of the edge off of his normally aloof and cold persona.
Sarah turned and faced Jareth when they reached her door, they stared at eachother awkwardly for only a brief moment. "Good night. Sarah." Jareth was the first to speak. Sarah shivered, the way he enunciated her name excited her and she tried to quell the feeling.
"Good night my King." she humored him for reasons unknown to her. Perhaps because she was in a good mood.
Jareth smirked. "I want your respect Sarah. However, I think such formalities could be set aside." he suggested hopeful that she would call him Jareth.
"Good night Goblin King." she said again, her onery side showing its face once more. Jareth frowned and turned to leave. As Sarah was about to enter her room, she stopped abruptly and called out to the King. "Thank you again. Jareth." Jareth stopped mid step and turned around and graced her with a smile, a real smile. Sarah found herself returning the smile before she stepped inside and closed the doors. Jareth stood and stared at her closed door for a long time before turning and retiring to his own chambers.
Sarah sighed and leaned up against her closed door. Suddenly life had become very confusing. Before she had her dreams, her ambitions, everything was in focus. She held her family above all, she had her career which she loved, the Duke was her white knight and her betrothed, Jareth was the enemy. Now she had lost her purpose; her families protection was beyond her control and her career was gone. She had to admit to herself that she liked the attention, the glittering Balls and Dinners. Sarah was somewhat of a celebrity in the Underground, something she would never have experienced Aboveground. Most of all she loved the feeling of freedom and peace that took over as she sang for an audience. 'That life is over now." she sighed dismally.
Most perplexing was the box she had put the Goblin King in was becoming distorted. Her feelings for him and his character had been clearly defined, now she was finding, of all people she had taken the King for granted. "Jareth is bad and the Duke is good." she tried to convince herself of this. Jareth's opinion of his cousin was irrelevant, but many were voicing opinions against the Duke. Hoggle's opinion of him was clear, even the Marchioness did not seem happy at the idea of Sarah's engagement. "Yes well they are all friends with Jareth, so of course they will take his side." she told herself. "And Hoggle, he doesn't like the Duke or Jareth."
She made her way to her bed, exhausted. As she lay there, trying to find sleep she could not shake the images of Jareth that day. They way he interacted so positively with others, it was then that she realized that she was jealous. Jealous that he did not interact with her that way, he always had to provoke her. "Don't be silly, why would you be jealous of his attentions...you have your Duke." she thought sleepily before drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
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The Duke's Palace
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Lasair broke yet another magic mirror in a fit of rage. "Damn Jareth to eternal darkness!" he cursed. The Duke had watched powerless to intervene as Jareth took Sarah on a romantic trip to the sea. How he hated the Merfolk, they had banned him for there shores many ages ago. He watched Sarah whenever he had the chance since she fell into the hands of his cousin. At first he had no worries but as the trip progressed, Sarah and Jareth had argued less and less until they were practically getting along. The scene outside of Sarah's bedroom was what really set him off. After everyone's bad mouthing of him, he had seen the confusion and doubt in Sarah's eyes.
The only thing that relieved him was that the ring was still snugly fit to Sarah's finger. As long as the ring remained on her finger than she was still his. All he could do was wait and seethe. "Soon Sarah my love, you will be in my power again." he closed his eyes, calming himself.
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Next Day
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"Jareth, the healer returned last night. I had him stay because I thought you were going to be back last night." Priya explained exasperatedly after bustling into his study.
"I decided to take her to the concert after all." he explained not looking up at her. "Send the Healer in."
Priya smirked and turned to do as she was bid. "The King has returned, you may see him now." Priya pointed the Healer in the direction of Jareth's study. Then made her way towards Sarah's rooms.
Priya entered Sarah's room with a smile on her face, knowing that the girl would still be sleeping. Priya regarded Sarah, amusement in her eyes, seeing her differently for the first time since Priya had found out that Sarah was partially fae. Priya went to the windows and pulled back the curtains, allowing the brilliant morning sun to spill over Sarah's sleeping form.
"Priya I swear I will kill you someday." Sarah muttered and pulled a pillow over her head.
Priya laughed. "Wake up! You mortals are so lazy." she teased. "How was your little trip?" she questioned with a hopeful smile.
Sarah rubbed her eyes and sat up, glaring at the elf. "It was unexpectedly...lovely."
"I told you he has a good side." Priya looked smug.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Yeah whatever you say Priya."
"After awhile, Gavin would like to speak to you." Priya told Sarah before she left her alone for the time being.
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"Your majesty." Caleb greeted the King with a low bow.
"You've obtained the results?" Jareth asked, all business.
"Yes I have my Lord." Caleb confirmed with a smile. "The Father carries the line, the child carries it as well." he confirmed.
Jareth considered this. "How was the testing conducted?"
"With most care I assure you. I came in at night and ensured that they would not wake until I was gone. I used rapid healing on the cuts, no evidence was left." he assured Jareth.
"Very good." Jareth was pleased with this news.
"If I may..." Caleb continued. "The Father's fae blood most likely will not activate so late in his mortal life. He will probably live longer than expected as do most humans that live underground. We should not expect to see any magic capabilities from him...now the boy on the other hand. He could become potentially become more powerful than Sarah. Given he has the proper training." the Healer paused. "Which brings me to the fact that Sarah should begin training right away."
Jareth thought for a moment before responding to the Healer. "I shall take care of Sarah. I will send you a letter to take to the council concerning Toby's training."
"As you wish my King." Caleb bowed and exited the room, leaving Jareth to his thoughts.
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"Come in." Gavin called as he struggled to read a book.
"Hello." Sarah smiled at Gavin, hoping that a confrontation was not in store for them.
"Hi Sarah." he smiled pleasantly. Setting the book aside he closed the space between them and gave her a small hug. "Look...I wanted to apologize." he began.
"No Gavin, I should be apologizing. I treated you very unfairly when you came here." she interrupted him.
"You know as well as I, that things aren't always fair." he laughed and Sarah joined him. "So we're both sorry now and we can go on being friends?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course." Sarah smirked but then quickly frowned. "Has the Goblin King been treating you well?"
Gavin laughed. "Actually Sarah...as odd as this may sound. I haven't been more happy in a long time."
Sarah looked at him suspiciously. "Oh no! He has you under mind control!" she exclaimed, half joking. "If you're truly happy then I am happy for you." she shrugged not knowing what else to say. Gavin shifted awkwardly, the next thing he had to say would be difficult and he did not want to offend her.
"Sarah, there's something else..." he shifted again. Sarah raised a brow curiously. "My feelings for you...well they were misguided. I shouldn't have put that on you like I did before..."
Sarah put up her hand. "Gavin, don't apologize. I treated you very badly and I am ashamed of myself. I just had a lot on my plate...I didn't want to hurt you but I didn't know how to deal with it." she explained feeling guilty. They both stared at each other awkwardly again for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"So how was the sea?" Gavin wiggled his brows. Sarah smacked him on the shoulder for that.
"The sea was just fine, thank you." she replied with mock attitude.
"I think the Goblin King really has it out for you." he grinned.
"Out to kill me is more like it." Sarah argued not liking the topic of conversation.
"Who's out to kill you?" Priya asked, stepping into the room. Sarah rolled her eyes and Gavin laughed.
"I'm going somewhere where I wont be harassed." she stuck her tongue out ungracefully before leaving.
"Good luck!" they both called in unison as Sarah left.
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Sarah was wandering around the dead and dilapidated gardens when Jareth appeared before her causing her to jump. "Must you always do that?" she asked irritable as usual.
"Yes." he said simply with no expression. "Now it's time for you to begin training."
"Training?" she questioned.
Jareth shifted impatiently. 'Doesn't she ever pay attention?" he thought to himself. "Yes, if you've forgotten." he mocked. "You've acquired magic and we must train you so that you do not harm yourself or anyone else."
"Who's training me?" she asked trying to ignore his pompous attitude.
"I am." he smirked.
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Author's Note: Warning! Things will start to go back down hill next chapter. Sorry this chapter was kinda boring compared to the last two. Things will get interesting again with the next one. As always, thank you to readers and reviewers :-)